I had to vote for Harry Potter, much as it pained me to do so. I love anything Whedon and the writing overall was better for said auteur's sci-fi icons...but more people are aware of the Potter universe and characters.

Though Mal is my personal favorite, I would say that Buffy is the most iconic - she's had the most impact to the world in general. You'd be hard pressed to find even a non genre fan who doesn't know who Buffy is.

Brinderwalt - do you think they don't count even if they show was still on in/past 2000? I'd say they do since they were on and therefore still a part of the media landscape in the 21st century. I guess it depends on how strictly you take the "of" since they did originate before the century in question. *shrug*

Some of the characters on that list were a bit puzzling. I mean Claire from Heroes? Really?

And their definition of sci-fi is getting looser by the month! I found voting a bit hard cus really I would like to vote for Buffy but she isn't sci-fi to me so how could she be the face of it? If we're going sci-fi I would have to pick The Doctor.

I did in the end vote for Buffy though, like Saje says this is SFX, the Doctor will probs win anyway. Hopefully the Buffster can get second place.

Yes I know, but the poll specifically states science fiction, not sf, well at least it does on the actual poll bit which is what I was reading. I see that on the intro page it does broaden the category.